Binding Arbitration (13 page)

The ump chuckled.
Quite a chunk of reflective material, isn’t it?

“You need to decide, if you want to be played, or be the player in control.” I ran my finger over her arch urging her to relent. “Let me run this game my way. I can promise you a win.”

She jerked away in response to my touch. I caught her ankle, but her head hit the porcelain toilet lid.

He’s knocked another one out. And we aren’t talking about a ball here, folks.

10

RESCUE DOCTRINE

Repentance must be something more than mere remorse for sins; it comprehends a change of nature befitting heaven. Lew Wallace

Elizabeth

I refused to admit that I fainted, I just closed my eyes for a few moments and now my head had a gong going off in it. My skirt slid over the leather seat of Aidan’s BMW like a base stealer sliding across home plate. I righted myself, gripping the armrest, hoping to squelch my throbbing head.

I wanted anonymous DNA. Instead, I got self-righteous apologies from a man who thinks empty words give him room to maneuver my world. In my wildest dreams, I never fathomed he would want anything to do with Cass. I should have listened to Suzy.

Neither of us spoke, as we made our way down Lake Shore Drive, following the curves and natural delineations of the edge of the land as the roadway made its way around Lake Michigan.

The Frank Lloyd Wright homes along our route reminded those passing that Chicago had made its mark on architectural history by developing a truly American style. Loyola University flanked either side of the street, and we maneuvered around the medical school building, deeper into Rodgers Park. One of Chicago’s cities within the city, it’s bordered at the north end by an aging cemetery, where buried souls rested in prime real estate. Too bad I couldn’t buy a plot in which to bury the past.

The last of the towering grave markers heralded our arrival in Evanston, the home of my alma mater, Northwestern University. We passed the limestone pillars, and the scrolling black metal gates that mark the entrance to campus. On the opposite corner sits Saint Mary's church with its arched stained glass façade. Depending on the time of day, the sun glistens off its colored facets in brilliant adoration of the cross. At this hour, it lay dark and dreary, tired of its struggle against a relentless enemy, who was as coy and charming as my own.

Aidan’s fingertips brushed over the back of my hand.

I flinched from my meanderings.

“I know the address, but I need a little direction. Don’t you people believe in street lights?”

“We people like our privacy,” I grumbled. “Unfortunately some people don't pick up on that.”

“Do you always wake up in a sour mood or is it the clunk on the head?” His smile glimmered off the dashboard.
Mr. Positive, with cloying regularity.

“Unlike you, I have to be up at 4:30 a.m. to go to work.”

“It's barely ten.”

“The house is in the middle of the next block on the right. You’ll see big planters. The gate should be open.”

“You live on the lake side? With a gate?” He whistled when he took in the colonial mansion with a circular drive, and a detached coach house. “Your boyfriend must be rich.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend. I rent.”

“Thanks for the score.” He drove up the cobbled drive to the brick coach house, where Cass and I lived over the garage in a two-bedroom apartment. “I can make it from here. Thanks.”

He looked from the main house to the coach house, and then to me. “I’ll see you all the way in.”

My head thudded, my foot pulsated, and I was too tired to continue my protests. “I have to get Cass from the Rodgers.” I pointed toward the mansion with the pristine brick exterior and manicured lawn which he was admiring.

“I’ll assist.”

“Couldn’t we do this some other month?”

He opened his door and exited with a confident swagger. “No time like the present.”

“You know, this will be like walking into a firing squad. They know what you did; hell, they helped me through it.”

“I’ll be sure to graciously thank them.” He straightened his collar and stood straighter.

Gingerly, I walked over the cobbles. The ball of my foot still hurt from jock boy’s glass extraction. With my shadow on my heels, I rang the bell. “Let me do the talking.”

“As long as I like what you’re saying.”

The bell gonged and I wished I could make Lurch appear. Instead, several long moments passed before Ollie opened the massive door. She was dressed in purple plaid PJ bottoms rolled down low across her hips, and a short-fitted lime green T-shirt that read ‘mean people suck’. This was Ollie’s mantra.

“Hey, Aunt Libby dad’s in the library and mom’s at your place with Cass. He fell asleep, but he’s fine.” She stepped aside, before looking Aidan up and down. “Who's the old hottie?”

“Aidan Palowski, meet Olivia. Ollie, meet Aidan.”

“Nice to meet you, Olivia, and I'm not old.”

“There's a big difference between a twenty-year-old hottie, and thirty-year-old hottie. Trust me,” Olivia said.

“Oh yeah, what's that?”

“One will get you a slap on the wrist, and the other gets you fitted for an orange jump suit. Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars.”

“Are you going to be a lawyer?”

“That's kind of a grown up question for a playboy baseball player.” She tilted her head inspecting him closer.

I appreciated Ollie giving it to him, but I had other things to do. “While you entertain the old guy, I’ll say good night to your dad.” I started, but a large hand stopped me.

Aidan winked at Ollie. “I’ve got to make an appearance with your aunt, but I’m going to be keeping my eye on you.”

Ollie’s color flashed. “Don’t forget your bifocals.” He moved right behind me, laughing. “I like that girl.”

The library door swung open, and Max filled the jamb with his imposing figure. There was only one way to describe the Dean of Northwestern University law school—-big, loveable, teddy-bear with the manners of a maundering Viking raider. “I’ve been worried about you, sweetheart.” He drew me into a loose embrace before stepping into his heavily paneled study.

“I was forced to undergo less-than-amiable negotiations.” I kissed his cheek. “Aidan, this is Dr. Max Rodgers.”

Aidan extended his hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, sir.”

Max ignored his hand moving around the side of his desk taking command. “I wish I could say the same. I do appreciate your bringing Libby home, but she’s in safe hands now.” I had never heard a dismissive speech from Max before, but he didn’t want Aidan in my life any more than I did.

“Contrary to what you want to believe about me,” Aidan countered, “I was raised with excellent manners.”

“Someone with breeding doesn’t abandon the woman carrying his child.” He lowered his voice to an almost caustic level. “An honorable man lives up to his responsibilities.” He cleared his throat. “No matter what that cost him.”

“I understand you want to protect Cass and Libby. I even understand your hostility, most of which I deserve. I made a monumental mistake, but I’m man enough to admit it. I'm even man enough to take whatever admonishments you feel appropriate.” He didn’t pause for air.

“From what I’ve pieced together, you took up the portion of their care that was mine and I’d like to thank you for that.” He stared Dr. Rodgers down, like he was some rookie who just came up from triple A. “I hope I can seek your advice from time to time, since you know them better than I do.” He glanced at me. “Especially, since Libby can be a handful.

“I hope I can earn your trust and demonstrate that I’m thoroughly capable of taking care of them.” Aidan’s gaze was direct. “Maybe you’ll even see I’m well-mannered and honorable.”

I held on fast to the arms of my chair to keep myself from shaking.
Had he rehearsed that speech? Because it sparkled.

Max glanced at me, before relaxing into his leather-tufted desk chair, but he continued his appraisal of the younger man.

Aidan was rigidly planted in his stance, as if he'd stand there all night, if need be, to come to an understanding.

Max spoke grudgingly. “Take a seat, Mr. Palowski.”

Aidan sat, never taking his eyes off the older man’s gaze.

“I’m a tough man, but a fair one. Libby’s more than a tenant, she’s like a daughter to me, and the only thing that’s kept me from running your rookie-of-the-year baseball ass through the ringer is her protest. Your success was at her expense, and for the life of me I can’t imagine why. But those reasons are only hers. If you start this game, you damn well better finish it, because if she or Cass is injured, you’ll be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life.”

“Max,” I said in hopes of slowing down his lather.

He gave me the evil eye. “She says the word, and I’ll take any avenues to ensure retribution, legal or otherwise.” His glaring eyebrow dropped a fraction of a degree. “If you someday choose to care for Cass, then you will comprehend my feelings in this regard.”

Aidan gave a slow, curt nod.

“Don’t disappointment me, Palowski.” Max extended his hand. “It’s the bottom of the ninth, and you have the bases loaded with two outs. One mistake will cost you the game.” Max shook Aidan’s hand—a compromise, not a concession.

“Lucky for me, I'm the best closing pitcher in the league.” It wasn't a cocky exaggeration, but a statement of fact.

“You’re going to need more than luck.” Max turned to me. “Libby, send my wife back to me.” He glanced at Aidan. “I don't sleep well without her.”

I leaned over the desk and gave Max a kiss. “Good night.”

My heels popped over the corridor’s parquet floor. The comforting scent of microwave popcorn wafted through my senses before the crisp moonlit air assaulted me.

Aidan didn't speak a word, but he followed in my wake.

“That conversation pretty much negates rule number five,” I chuckled under my breath, “Do what I want the way I want it.”

“Don’t think so. None of his threats come into play, as long as I do what I promised. And I have every intention of living up to my end of the bargain.”

We clanged up the corrugated green metal staircase of the coach house. I was fishing my key out when the door swung open.

Suzy was wide-eyed right inside the door. “Dr. Seuss called.”

My heart rate kicked up. “Is Cass okay?”

“Yes, but Dr. Seuss has tried back several times. He said he tried your cell phone, too.”

I patted my trench coat, then my suit jacket. “I must have forgotten it at the office. Did he say what he wanted?”

“No. He asked how Cass was, and then said he had some important news. He said you should call, no matter how late.”

“I’ll call right now.” I hesitated. “This is Aidan.” I hugged her so she wouldn’t be able to read the concern on my face. “Thank you for sitting. I won’t stay out this late again.”

“Don’t worry. Cass is always a peach.”

Suzy grabbed her coat, which Aidan helped her into. She slipped out the door.

“I need to return this call,” I muttered.

Aidan stepped further into the room.

“You don’t need to wait,” I said, dismissing him.

“I’ll wait.” He looked around. “There’s plenty to read.” He examined the floor to ceiling wall of books behind the sofa.

I went into my bedroom, and with shaking fingers, I dialed the numbers with only the filtered light coming though my open shutters. The phone rang three times before Dr. Seuss picked up. “Elizabeth, I have excellent news.”

I held my breath.

“We found a match.”

“Oh my God. How? Where?”

“Mr. Palowski gave us a sample on Wednesday night. The lab rushed it through with the others. I haven't looked at all the data, but we have a match. I wanted to give you the good news as soon as possible. My office will call Monday to set up the chemo schedule. Once we harvest the marrow, we’ll be ready to move along. We’ve been lucky with this.”

All I was able to get out was, “Thank you for calling,” before I dropped to my knees along my bedside. The phone, forgotten, never made it back into the cradle.

The sobs I had carried hidden in my heart for almost two months broke free. I cried out in relief, joy, and sorrow all together. The grip cinching my heart loosened, as my muffled cries sang out rejoicing. My child would see the end of this year. He would live to see the snow fall and the spring melt it all away. With this hope, I too, could start to live again. Life would not take from me the thing I had cherished above all others. I tried in vain to staunch the flow of tears; my body shook with relief taking me to my knees on the floor.

Gentle hands wiped the hair from my eyes, soaked in salty tears. Strong arms wrapped around me, consoling my jerking sobs. Finally, I slowed enough to make out words.

“Libby, what’s wrong? What’s happened?” I heard Aidan’s deep tenor; it was thick with emotion.

Words would not come; only sob after sob racked my body.

He moved away for a moment, the door to my bedroom latched shut. He gathered me up, carrying me to the other side of the bed, making it a buffer against the noise of my cries. When he settled me on my knees, he wrapped me in his strong embrace. He rubbed my back in long, steadying strokes, willing me to calm.

He spoke soft words too tender to hear, and I started to relax. As my body convulsed in the aftershocks of renewed hope and recaptured dreams, the pain in my chest eased. My arms were around his neck, and his face was buried in the side of my throat. His mouth was tangled in my wet hair and once again at my ear. “Please, Libby. Please tell me what’s wrong.”

I stared at him for a moment. I tried to speak, but only hiccupped. “They found a match. I can save him.”

His smile sparkled in the bright moonlight. With a calm reverence, he stroked the tears away from the crests of my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.

“Of course you can, babe.” He placed me on the bed. He gently removed my shoes, my suit jacket, and my glasses. I pulled a pillow down into the center of my body wrapping myself around it before he pulled a blanket up over me. “Of course you will,” he said before he brushed my tear soaked hair away.